Plant-replanter.



C. C. & R. C. POUGHER. PLANT REPLANTBR.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31.1913.

1 ,106,405. Pa1entea11ug-111914..

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.HW "IM 11H C. C. & R. G. POUCHBR.

PLANT REPLANTER.

APPLICATION TILED MAY31, 1913.

, Patented Aug. l1, 1914.

SSHBETSWSHEET L C. O. L R. C. PUUCHER-- PLANT REPLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY31,1913.

' 1,106,405. Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. C. L R. C. POUCHER. PLANT REPLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY s1. 1913.

'Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

C. C. 6L R. C. POUCHER.

PLANT REPLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY a1, 191s.

1,106,405. Patented 111g. 11,1911

8 SHEETS-*SHEET 5 mngml.

C. C. & R.' C. POUCHER.

PLANT REPLANTBR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31,1913. 1,106,405. K Patented Aug. 11,1914.

J7 I f l;

afp/2 Bawag/g,

G. o. @L R. C. POUGH'ER.

PLANT RBPLANTER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 31,1913.

1 ,1 06,405. Patented Aug. 11,1911

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

c. c. @L R. C. BOUCHER.

,PLANT REPLANTER. APPLICATION FILED MAY31,1913.

described land claimed.

CHARLES C. BOUCHER AND RALPH C. POCHER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

PLANT-REPLANTER.

l 'To all 'whom it may concern '-Be `it known that -we, CHARLES C.

PoUcHnR and RA'LPiinC. Pone-Hen, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Aurora,l county of Kane, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plant-Replanters, of which the following. is a specification.

-Qur invention relates to plant replanting devices that is tomachines designed for use in the -replanting of sprouts such as of calobage and plants of this character which regui'rereplanting after thesproutlng of the seeds in order to'spac'ethesame apart.

, Atthe present timethe replanting of plants' or sprouts of rthe'character mentioned is 'manually eected, the work in tiiis"operation being arduous and tedious.`

l The: object of our'invention is the production `of a machine through the 'medalla offwlich the replanting of plants as mentioned may be mechanically1 effected with ease andiexpedition.A

-A 'fu 'ther object' is the production lof a mach'inewhich'will be of durable and ecoconstruction and efficient in operation?" Other objects will appear hereinafter. 4The invention consists 'in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter The invention will be best understood byl reference tof the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 Visa side elevation of a replanting machine einbodyingcur inventicn, Fig. 2 isa top plan View thereof, Fig. 3 is Aan enlarged. vertical transverse section taken on substantial-ly line w-u of Fig. 1', Fig. 4-

is an enlarged vert-ical transverse. section taken on vsubstai'itially line o o ofFig, 41, Fig. 5 is an venlarged central vertical sect-ion taken on substantially `line w-w yof Fig.3, Fig. 6 is'anfenlarged vertical transverse section taken on substantiallynline --m of Fig.-

1, Fi 7 is an enlarged detail vertical lone gitudinal section taken on substantially-line of Fig. '6, Fig.8-is an enlarged .rear view of the rear axle and wheels of the machine, shown partly in section, Fig;`9 is an enlarged sectional front elevation of one of the plant carriers, showing the same sup- I s ported in the guides provided at the lower portion of the machine, and Fig: 10 is a central section taken on substantially line 2-z of Fig-9.

'-: ecication of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 11, 1914..

filed may 31, 1913. Serial No. 771.050.

The preferred vform of construction as illustrated in the drawings comprises a supporting frame or body 1 which is suitably mounted upon traction wheels 2 and 3, said wheels being mounted upon aXles 4 and 5. The front a-Xle 5is mounted for oscillatory movement Iabout a center 6 in order to permit of Steerage 'or turning, and suitable draft mechanism 7 is provided for connection with a horse or horses in drawing the machine over the ground.

Arranged at the under side of the frame 1 substantially midway the extremities thereof is a. vertically disposed colter 8 whichj is mounted inl a fork 9 the upper end of which is mounted in bearings constituted bythe respective ends of a U-shaped member 10 which is secured rigidly to the lower end ofa plate 11. Said plate 11 is mounted for vertical sliding or reciprocation in guide channels 12 which engage the respective longitudinal edges of said plate, as clearly shownin Figs-3, 4 and 5, the upper ends of said channel membersbeing rigidly secured to' transversely extending angle irons 13 secured' rigidly to the frame 1, as clearly `shown -in Figs. 1 and 4. Angular ngers 8 depend from the bearing 10 for engagement lwith the opposite sides of the colter 8 to prevent oscillatory mtweinent thereof beyond a limited extent, the members 8 thus serving to hold said colter in operative position. `Brace members 14,15, 1G, and 1T coperate with the channels 12 to hold the latter absolutely rigid, special precautions benigtaken to support said channel members since, in the operation of the machine, said channels are subjected to considerable strain.

Secured to and depending from the lower end of the plate 11 is an arm 18 to the lower end of which is secured a furrower 19. Said furrower is formed simply of a single piece of metal V-vshaped in cross or horizontal scction, which is arranged directly behind the colter .8, the arrangement being such, that in the operation of they machine, when said colter'and ui-rower are in operative position, the same will serve to cut a furrow in the' ground of a width and depth sufficient to receive the plants which it is desired to replant;` The colter and furrower are connected, as will be observed, with the sameV element 11 and so that movement of said colter and furrower into and out of operative relation with the ground is simultaneously eected by vertical movement of said member 11. Such movement of said mem- Aframe l. The lever 25 is provided with the conventional spring pressed pawl mechansmfand the coperating notched segmental plate 26 for releasably locking said lever and hence the colter and furrower in positions of adjustment.

The plants to be repla-nted are carried by carriers of a construction shown in Figs. 9 and l0. As thereshown"eachcarrier comprises an elongated tubular body 27 to the lowerl end of which is provided a pair of jaw members 28 adapted normally to embrace the upper end portion or leaves and stalk of a plant or sprout, the roots lof the plant or sprout projecting from the lower ends of said jaws. Slidably mounted in the body 27 is a plunger 29 which is held against rotary movement by a screw 30 secured in the body' 27 which engages an elongated slot 30 provided in one side of said plunger. The lower end of said plunger is conically formed for engagement with the contracted portions or neck 3l ,in order to spring the jaws 28 outwardly to releasing positions, as

shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. The jaw members 28 are'l so arranged that in moving to releasing position, the same move laterally or transversely of the direction`in which the machine is moving. At the upper .end of the conical extremity of the plunger 29 is provideda circumferential groove 32 with which the portions or edges 31 of the/ jaw members 28 engagev to hold the latter j in. releasing positions, said jaw members returning to operative or embracing positions only upon retraction or upward movement of said plunger. vAt the upper end of the body 27 is provided a hea-d'33 provided at its opposite sides lwith laterally/and -downwardly opening sockets or recesses 34.

'I'n using the device, a plurality of plant carriers are employed, said carriers, after the arrangement of a plant in each thereof, being arrangedl upon 'a support provided at the upper side of the machine which is constituted by horizontally disposed spaced an gle irons 35, as clearly shown in Figs; 1, 3 and 5 which are supported by supporting frame work 35 and 35". In the arrangement of the plant carriers between the sup. orting members 35 the respective ends ofthe heads 33 of said carriers rest loosely -upon the inwardly 'extending portions or flanges of said supporting members, the latter being spaced apart sufficiently to snugly receive said carrier heads between the same.

,operating with the supporting members 35 are endless belts 36 traveling around rollers 37 and 37 The upper sides of -the belts 36 travel upon the upper surfaces of the inwardly extending flanges or supporting portions of said supporting members,- serving, when said belts are in motiomto convey the plant carriers forwardly, as will be readily understood.

The belts 36 are driven through `the medium of belts 3S which establish on opera-l tive connection between the rollers 37 and a shaft 39'which is mounted in bearings provided in the upperend of the supporting' member 35. The shaft 39.is driven by a belt 4Q which passes around a channel pulley provided upon said shaft and also a similar4 pulley 4lloosely mounted upon a shaft 42 mounted in bearings 43. Formed f integral or rigidly connected with the pulley 41 is a sprocket wheel 44 around which travels a sprocket chain 45 which passes around a sprocket wheel 46 secured to a shaft 47 mounted in suitable bearings 47. The shaft 47 is driven by means of a sprocket chain 4S which engages a sprocket Wheel 4S provided upon said shaft, and a sprocket wheel 49 which is loosely and slidably mounted upon an extension of the hub of one of the rear wheels2a`s clearly shown in Fig.- 8. The sprocket wheel 49 is recessed at. one side, as shown to constitute the female member of a friction clutch, said female member being adapted to cooperate with a male clutch member 50 formed upon said wheel hub in order to eiect an operative and driving connection between said wheel and the train of movable mechanism -above described. The Asprocket wheel 49 yis moved into and out of operative relation with the clutch member 50 by means of a suitable shift-able fork 51` which is fulcrumed at'52, the rearward upper end of said shifting fork terminating in operative proximity with a drivers seat 53 arranged at the rearward end of the machine as shown.4 With this arrangement,. it will be seen that the driving of the planting mechanism is from the rear wheels of the machine, and that connection of the mechanism for driving by the rear wheels ofthe mechanism or disconnection of said mechanism therefrom may be effected by simply Oscillating the shifting fork 5 Y The plant carriers supported upon the members 35 are fed forwardly, as above described, by the belts 3G, said carriers being transferred. from the forward ends of said supporting` members to endless conveyer chains 54 which are mounted for travel around sprocket wheels 55, 56, 57 58 and 59,

described. The cha-ins 54-are provided at the joints of the links thereof with inwardly 4projecting studs or lugs 60 adapted for engagement with the sockets 34 provided at' the respective ends of the heads 33 of the carriers. as clearly shown in Fig. 9, said carriers being thus loosely suspended by said lugs which only loosely engage said'sockets.

- The'trans'fer of the carriers from the forward ends ofthe supportin members 35 to the conveyor chains 54.is e ected by a pair of circular plates or disks 61 which are rig'- idly secured centrally to the shaft 39. The

platestl are provided in .their peripheries with notches 62, asclearly shown in Fig. 5, adapted for the reception of the opposite ends of the headsfpor. in other words said carriers upon saidA chain, of ultimately spacing the lplants .in the IInembfrrs 61 are` adapted normally, to preventthe passa-geef the carriers fromthe supporting members 35, the heads 33 of said carriersl abutting. the peripheries of saidV "plates, the'.discharge-or transfer of a carrier4 from said supporting members to the chains 54 being effectedfonly when the notches 62 register with the 4head 33 of the foremost carrier, said notches' accommodating the respective ends ofthe foremost carrier moving the same .forward into engagement with the lugs or studs 60. of the chains 54 which happen at that time to -be in registration with the forward/ ends of the members' 35. this transfer of the carriers from the supporting members to the chains 54, the corners 62 of the plates 6l at the notches 62 Will-,upon rotation -ofsaid plates, just register with the adjacent surfaces of the heads of the two foremost carriers a'nd thus 4serve to select the foremost carrier andat the same time retard the advance of the next carrier. With this arrangement then, it will be seen that a plant-carrier will loetransferred from the supporting members 35 to the conveyer chains 54 upon each complete rotation of the plates 61, .the latter thus serving as a means for spacing the and consequently ground. This being so, the spacingof the carriers upon the conveyer chains and hence of the plants inthe ground may be varied by simply regulating oradjusting the speed of rotation of ltheplates 61, this being effected by changing the pulley around which the belt travels.

The plant carriers transferred from the supporting members 35 to the chains 54 are conveyed rst downwardly by the latter until the same reach the sprocket wheels 57 wheels 55, the same approach the sprocket wheels being sufficient to eect release of the carriers from the inwardly projecting` studs or when said carriers will be conveyed 'rearwardly in a horizontal plane toward the sprocket wheels 58. Inthe passage of each carrier between the sprocket wheels 57 and 58 the upper end of the plunger 29 thereof will Contact with an inclined channel cam member G3, the latter serving to depress said plunger in order to move the jaws 28 to releasing positions and discharge the plant. In' order to reinforce or support the chains 54 at this point bars 64 are provided secured rigidly in position at their respective ends by connection with the guide channels l2 and lthe rear axle of the machine. The bars 64 are provided at their lower edges with inwardly turned flanges 65 and secured to the inner sides of said bars are inwardly extending flanges 6G. As clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10 channels are thus formed for the guidance of the 'chains 54 serving to .support the same during actuation of the carriers to releasing positions. The cam member 63 Vis supported in operative position supporting straps 63 which are secured rigidly to the l flanges 66 as shown. The arrangement is such, as will be understood, that'the plants which are carried by the carriers will be conveyed `thereby into the 'furrow which is form-ed by the colter 8 and furrow-er 119, release of the plants being effected. when the roots thereof are properly positioned in the furrow. After the plants have been released fromthe carriers, the latterl 'will be conveyed upwardly after passing thev f sprocket wheel 58 toward the sprocket wheel 59. The sprocket wheels 59 arespacedslightly farther apart than the sprocket wheels 58-and the sprocket wheels 55 are spaced a little farther apart than the sprocket Wheels 59, the arrangement being' -.f

such that the chains willA diverge from the sprocket wheels 58 toward the sprocket the divergence of said chains as said chains. Hence as the plant carriers lapproach. the sprocket wheels 55 the same will be automatically released therefrom and will drop into engagement with supporting members 67 arranged below said chains, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. Said supporting bars 67 are inclined rearwardly so that as the carriers are deposited thereon the same will sliderearwardly by gravity to a position for ready engagement by the operator positioned in the seat 53. The rearward ends of said supporting members 67 are turned upwardly asshown in order to prevent sliding of the carriers to disengagement.

Simultaneously with the release of the plant from the carrier the sides ot' the furrow will be pressed into engagement with the roots thereof order to complete the a 69 is a hinge member or split Vlink 77. Co-A planting operation' by means of outwardly inclined trucks 68 which are mounted at the lower ends of substantially vertically disposed arms69, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The upper ends of the arms 69 are connected with rockerl arms 70 fixed to the shaft 4.2. The shaft 42 is also provided with a rocker arm 71 which is connected by means of a/link 72 with a rocker arm 72 ixed to the shaft 22. The-arrangement 'is such, that rocking of the arms 70 in order to effect vertical adjustment of the arms 69- will be eii'ected by the manually operative lever 25 simultaneously with the adjustment of the colter 8 and furrower 19. The arms 69 are adapted for slight lateral rocking or' tilting, the same being'nially held at their outer tern'oinals of tilting or rocking by means of', helical compression springs 78 mounted arms and stops 75 arranged upon the bar 74.

Thel bar 74 is provide-dat its respectire ends f with heads 76 which serve as stops which limit the outward rocking of the arms l69. Also connecting theA lowerl ends of the arms operating with the link 77 is an inverted V- shaped or angular member 78 which is secured rigidly to the bars/64 projecting,v upwardly therefrom. -The member 78 is so positioned that, in the downward movement of the 'arms 69, such as is caused upongdowiiward' rocking of the arms 70, the hinge'member or split `rink 77 will contact with the former which will cause breaking of the joint in said hinge or link and thereby ei'ect inward rocking of the lower ends of arms 69,

as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The arrange` ment is such that the trucks 68 will be in op-v erative position only when said arms 69 are at theirjinner terminal .of oscillation land lower terminal ofvertical movement, A/said trucks, upon elevation of said arms, being carried to inoperative position or out of con-` tact with the ground. Cleaner blades 79 cooperate -with the trucks 68 toremove soi] which might adhere thereto in the operation of the machine, said blades being secured` to reinforcing links 80 which connect the lower ends of the'arms 69 with the rear axle 4 serving 'to brace the saine.

Mounted at the front end of the frame 1 :is i

a water tank 81 provided as shown with al lling plug at its front end.- Leading from the under side of the tank 81 -is a d rain nozzle 83 is positioned to o-ne side, as shown in order to afford clearance for the plants.A Interposed iii the 'pipe 82 is a valve .for controlling the flow of water therethrough, said valve comprising a. casing 84 and an ordinary puppet valve 85 provided with a depending stem86. The valve 85 remains normally in closed position preventing the flow of water from thev pipe 82, opening of the passage through said` pipe being effected only upon upward movement of said valve stem. The lower end of the valve stem 86is horizontallydisposed and. positioned for engagement with the heads 83v of the plant carl riers. Said heads-in the passage of the carriers between the sprocket wheels 57 and 58 'will contact with said stem andfcause elevation ofthe valve' 85vto open position. .Thus -with this arrangement it will be seen that water will 'be dischargedinto the 'furrowv only upon tliepositioning of a plant therein, and that `each plant will be supplied-with a suiicientamount of water to ythoroughly meisten the roots thereof.

Provided yat the rearward end of the frame 1 at each side 'of the, seat 58l vis a frame 87v upon which tables or trays 4may bearranged to accommodate the plants before arrangement thereof in the carriers for replanting.

The tables or trays' lthus arranged will bev carriers preparatory to the arrangement of q 1 the latter uponthe' vsupporting members 35.

The" operationoi theA machine is simple i andneediifotlbejattendedfby a skilled work'- man. The 'operator in operating' thsame first throws @he lerer25 orwardlyto effect lowering-tof thetc'oltei. 8 Azindfurrower 19 to 'operativer' position andl to more the trucks 68 .toengagement withtheground.- This beingfd'ngthe lever 51 isrocked in order to .shift the' sprocket Wheel 49 into operative .pofsitionto effect the operative connection of the mechanism :with lthe driving rear fwheel After'tliis is done it is only necessaryto'fill the plant carriers, that is to insertthe upper end or 'leaves and stalk of a plant into "each one' of the carriers between the'jaw portions y28 thereof.` and to position iio' theljcarriers vthusflled upon the supportingI members.85`.' .r The carriers arranged upon said-r supporting members 'will be carried for# wardly'by'-the belts 86 andtransferred one at a* timel by means of the platesf 61 to the conveyor belts 54. The latter will first conrev ,the carriers downwardly until the roots of the plants arranged in the carriers fare 4positioned in the furrow .cut by the colter'1 8 and furrowerhl. The lcarriers will their be siiccessiwely'actuated by means ofthe cam member 63 to release lthe'lplants, the rootsof the latter at th'is'time being supplied IwithV water discharged from the nozzle 83,

the soil Ibeing packed around the sameby the' trucks 68 which engage the ground at each 4side of the furrow pressing the same inwardly to close the furrow. The travel of the conveyer chain 54 is so timed that the carriers after passing the sprocket wheels 57 will be conveyed rearwardly at a rate of speed equal tothe rate of speed at which the Vdevice isnioving forwardly and so that after a carrier has passed the rollers 57, the

.same and hence the plant carried thereby will be stationary relative to the ground. Such timing'is essential in order to prevent tearing of the roots from the upper end of the plant, it being clear that without such timing the roots would be dragged along the ground through-the furrow and inJuredl if not severed from the upper ends of the plants. i After passing the sprocket wheels 58 the carriers will be elevated toward the sprocket Wheels 59 and', said carriers being released from said chains by reason of th'e divergence of the latter as before described, as the same approach the sprocket wheels 55, /the carriers thus released dropping to engagement .with the supporting member G''where the same may be reached bythe operator or driver-forl repeated. use.

Thus, it will be seen, that lthe planting is entirely automatic and' mechanically edected,

the arrangement being such that the 'plant-J ing maybe effected expeditiously and with little help on the part of the driver or operator stationed in the seat 53.

While. we have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction forcarryino; our invention into effect, this is capable of variation andmodiication without departing "from the spirit of the invention.

.We, therefore, do not wish to limit ourselves tothe precise details of construction set forth', but desire to availourselves of such of a'fur'rower; a. .plant carrier adapted "tovariations and modifications as comevwithin the scopeof the appended claims. I

Haying described our invention what we claim yl. Iiiy a 'plant replanter, .the combination releasably suspend a plant for r'eplanting;

a support forsaid carrier; Jmeansitor conveying said carrier from said lsupport to the furrow cut by said furrower; means -for automatically transferring said carrier from said support-to said conveyiiigvmeansuneans for actuating" saidLA .carrier to4 `release the plantbcarriedthereby when said'plant is Y positioned with its roots projecting into the furrow; land meaiis 4.for `pressiin' the soil about the' root of the plant whenj placed in the'furrow, substantially as described. I

2. 1n a plant replanter, the combination of a furrower; a `plant carrier adapted to releasably suspenda'p'lant for replanting; a support for said carrier; means for conveyvas'pnew and desire to secure by Letters yPatentisz.v

of a colter; a furrower arranged b ehind said colter; a plant carrier adapted to releasably suspend a plant'for replantirg; a support for said carrier; means forl conveying said earrierifrom' said support to the furrow cut by said furrow'er; means for automatically transferring said earlier from said support to said conveying means; means'for actuating said carrier t-o release the plant carried thereby when said plant is positioned with its roots projecting into the furrow; and means for pressing the soil about the root of the plant when positioned-inthe furrow,

substantially as described. l.

4t. In a plant replanter7 thev combination of a furrower; a plurality of plant carriers adapted toreleasably suspend plants for replanting; means-for conveying said carriers from said support to the furrowcut by said. furrower; means for independently selecting the carriers supported by said support and automatically transferring the same fromv said supporttosaid conveying means;

means for actuating each of said carriers to release the lplant carried thereby when said plant is ositioned with its roots projecting into the uri-ow; and means for pressing the soil about the root ofthe plant when positioned in the furrow, substantially as described.'

. 5. In a lant replanter, the combination of a vertically adjustable colter; av vertically adjustable furrower arranged behind said colter; a plant carrier adapted to releasably ysuspend a plant for replanting; asupport ffor said carrie'r;,me'ans for conveying said carrier from said support to the furrow cut by said furrower; means for actuating said 'carrier to release the plant carried thereby when saidplant is positioned with its roots `projecting into the furrow; and vertically adjustable means for pressing the soil about the root of the plant when positioned in the furrow, substantially as described.

6; In a plant replanter, the combination of a furrower;` a plurality of plant carriers adapted to releasably suspend plants for replanting; an operators seat; a support for said carriers positioned adjacent-said seat;

means for conveying said carriers from said support to the furrow cut bv said furrower; means for actuating each. of said carriers to' release the plant carried thereby when said in the furrow; and a second support for lsaid carriers located adj r-.cent said operators seat, said carrierfconveyer being adapted to deposit the carriers-conveyed thereby onto said second support after the discharge of the plants from said carriers, substantially as described. l

7. In a plant re Jlanter, the combination of a furrower; a plurality of lplant carriers adapted to releasably suspend plants for replanting; an -operators seat; a "support -for said carriers positioned adjacent said seat; means for'individually selecting the carriers supported by said support -and conveying the samefrom said support to the furrow cut by said furrower; means for actuating each of said carriers to .release lthe plant carried thereby when said plant is positioned with its roots projecting into the furrow; means for pressing the soil about the root of the plant when positioned i-n the furrow; and a vsecond support for said kcarriers located adjacent said operators seat, said carrier conveyer being adapted to deposit the carriers conveyed thereby onto said second support after the discharge' of' the plants 'from said carriers, substantially vas `de scribed.

8. In a plant replanter, the combination of a furrower; a plurality of plant carriera ,adapted to releasably suspend plants for replanting; a snpport for saidcarriers; means forcon-Veyin'g said carriers from said support to' the furrow cut by said furrower, said means comprising a airofendless flexible elements adapted or engagement with the upper end portions of said carriers; means for actuating said carriers to release the plants 'carried thereby, when said plants.

are positioned with their roots. projecting into the furrow; and means for pressing the soil about the root ofthe plant when positionedj in the furrow, substantiallyrp as de 9., In a plant replanteir, the combination of' a furrower; 'a plurality of plant carriers yadapted to releasably suspend plants for replantin' two supports for said carriers;- means 'of said' supports to 'urrower and depositing thel same `upon the other of-said-supports; means for actuatingsaidV carriers 'dur-ing'transit thereof torelease the plants carried thereby, when saidl positioned with their roo-ts pro jecting into the furrow; and means if'or` plants are pressing the soil about the root of each plant when positioned in the furrow, substantially as described. l

10. Ina plantreplanter, thecombination of a furrower; a plurality of. plant-carriers' other o or. conveying saidcarriers, from one the furrow cut by said v Y adapted toreleasably suspend plants for replanting; two supports for vsaid carriers; means for conveying said carriers from one of said suppcrts to the furrow cut by said furrower and depositi-ng the same upon the 'lo Aother of said supports, said means ,compris/- ing a pair of spaced endlesselements between which the plant carriers are positioned when conveyed thereby-said -endless elements' diverging as the same approach-75 said secondsupport to effect disengagementl of said carriers therefrom; means for actu-vating said carriers' during transit thereof to releaseA the "plants carried thereby, when said plants are positioned withl their roots 80 projecting into the furrow; and means for pressing thek soil about the root ofeach plant when positioned in the furrow,' sub' stantially as described;

11. In a plant replanter, the 'combination 85 of a' furrower; a pluralityof plant carriers adapted to releasably suspend plants for replanting; two supports for said. carriers; mea-ns for conveying said carriers from onev of said ysupports tothe furrow cut by said support toe'ectfdisengagement of said carriers therefrom; means vfor .actuating said carriers duringtransit thereof to release, the Vplants carried'thereby when said plants 100 are. positionedwith their roots projecting into the furrow;and .means for pressing te soilabout the rootof each plant'when positioned in the furrow, substantially as described. f 105 V12. In a plantfreplanter, the. combination of a furrower; a plurality of plant carriers adapted to releasably suspendiplants forre1 planting; two supports fo said carriers;

means for'conveying-sid carriers from one 114% of said supports to thefurrow cut said, furower and depositing tthie same'upon the said supports, said means compris# pajr' offspaced endless elements being a tween which the plant 'arriers are positioned 11?,

when conveyed fby said f endless elements; lateral1y`projectin'g lugs on said' endless elements forjengageinent With'laterall and downwardly opening sockets' proviwed'ht j.

the s idesof carriers, said.endless.leleQ129y ments divergingias the same approach said-L second support to. cient-disengagement. o f

said carriers therefromg'means for acti'iatin,gf`

said carriers -during {transit thereoff'to" reg jecting 'finto' 4 the'furrowj and pressing the soil about the root oteajcliI 'lane means' l, for.l

asdescribed.`

13. In a' plant replantenthe combination of a furrower; a plurality of plant carriers adapted .to releasably suspend plants for replanting; a support for said carriers; means for conveying said carriers from said g support to the furrow cut by said furrower; means for individually selecting said carriers to 'effect equal spacing `thereof upon said conveying means; means for actuating said-carriers to releasethe plants carried thereby; when said plants are positioned with their roots projecting into the furrow;

and means for pressing the soil about the root of each plant when positioned in the.

furrow, substantially as described.

' 14d In a plant replanter, the combination of a furrower; a plurality of plant carriers adapted to releasably suspend plants for re-v planting; a support for said carriers; means t'or conveying ,saidv 'carriers from said support lto the furrowcut by said furrower; means for individually selecting said carriers toefect equal spacing thereof upon said conveying means, said selecting. 'means comprising a circular rot-ary member having a recess 1n its periphery adapted to receive..

vthe upper end portion of a carrier; means for actuating said carriers to releasevthe -plants carried therebywvhen said plants-are positioned with their roots projecting vinto the furrow; and means for pressing the soil about the root of each plant when positioned in the furrow, substantially as described.l

15. In a plant replanter, the combination of a furrower; a plurality of plant carriers adapted to releasably suspend plants .for replanting; a support for said carriers; means for conveying said carriers from said support to thev furrow-cut by said furrower; means for feeding said carrie-rs on said sup port toward said conveyer; means forindividually selecting saidcarriers to effect equal spacing thereof -upon said conveying means; means for actuating said carriers to release the plantscarriedthereby, when said plants,

are positioned with their roots" projecting into the furrow; and means for pressing the soil aboutlkthe root 'ofeach plant when positioncdin the furrow, substantially as described.

416. In a plant replanter', the combination of a furrower; a plurality of -plantxarriers adapted to releasably. lsuspend plants for replanting; a support for said carriers; means for conveying said carriers from said sup- 'port to the furrow cut bysaid furrower, saidr means comprising 'a :pair-Y of .spaced endless clfuiins; linwardly projecting lugs spaced uponsaid` chains adapte'd'fo'r engagement by t laterally a-iddownwardly lopening sockets provided in the sides o f said car s; means for` feeding 'said.,.cariiers on said. support V'tovruiid said conveyer`;. means for individu- 'ally selecting-said/carriers to eji'cct equal' spacing thereofl upon said endless chains;

vframe Vand said conveying chains, substan- 'tlie same upon the other of said meansfor \actua ting said carriers to release the plants carried thereby, when said plants are positioned with their roots projecting into the furrow; and means for pressing the soil about the root of each plant when posi.- tioncd in the furrow, substantially 4as described.

17.' In a plant replanter, the combination with a wheeled frame, of a furr'c'iwei'; a plu# rality of plant carriers adapted-to relea'sablyp suspend plants forreplanting; asupportfor said carriers; means for conveying said car-- riers from said support tothe furrow cut by said furrowensaid meanscomprising lal pair of spaced endless chains; inwardly projecting lugsspaced upon said= chains adapted for engagement-by laterally ,and downwardly opening sockets provided in the sides A v of said carriers; means for feeding'said carriers on said support toward said conveyer'; means forr individually selecting said carriers to efect'equal spacing thereofupon said ends less chains; means for actuatingisaid `carriers to release the plants'carried thereby,

when said plants are positioned with their roots projecting into the furrow; means for pressing the soil about the root of each plant when positioned inthe-furrow; and, an operative connection between the wheels of said tially as described. V

18. In a plant replanter, the combination suspend plants for replanting; two supports for said carriers; means for conveying said ec i with a wheeled frame, of-a furrower; a plu-'Y` Arality of plant carriers adapted to releasably carriers from .oneof said supports to the furrow cut by Vsaid furrower and depositing the same upon the other of said sup orts; means for actuating'said-:carriers diiring transit thereof to release the'plants carried thereby, when said plants are positioned y with their roots projecting into the furrow: means for pressing the soil about the root of each plant'when positioned in the furrow; and an operative connection between said conveying means and the wheels of said frame, substantially as described. f

, 19. In a plant replanter',`the combination with a wheeled frame, of a furrower; a pluical iicy

rality ofplant carriers adapted to releas'ably suspend plants for replanting; two supports for said carriers; means forconveying said Vcarriers frompne of said supports to the furrow cut by said furrower and depositing sup orts; means for actuating Vsaid carriers diiring transit thereof to release. the plants carried thereby, whenI said Vplants are positioned with their roots. projecting into the furrow:

' means for pressing the soil about the root of each plant when positioned inthe furrow: and an operative connection between said conveying means and the wheels of said i frame, wliereby said conveying vmeans at the place of release of the plantsfrom said car-- riers, will convey said conveyers rearwardly 'at a rate of speed equal substantially to the rate of speed at which said frame is traveling forwardly,substantially as described.

20. In'a'plant replanter, the combination with a wheeled frame, of a furrcwe'r; a plurality of plant carriers adapted to releasably suspend plants for replanting; a support for ',-said carriers; means for conveying said carriers from said 'support to the furrow vcutby said 4furrower; means for actuating said carriers during transit thereof to release the plants carried thereby, when said plants are 15, ositioned with their roots projecting into t- 1e furrow; means for pressing the soil about the root ofeaclr-plant'when positioned in the furrow; and an operative connection between said conveying means and the wheels of vsaid frame whereby, said conveying means, at the place of the release of the plants from said'carriers, will convey said l carriers rearwardly-.at a rate of'speed equal substantially7 t'o the rate of speed at which `gifsaid'frame is traveling forwardly, substan-` tially as described.

2l. -In a plant replanter, the combination of a furrower; a plant carrier adapted to releasably suspend a plant for replanting; a

vsupport for said carrier; means for conveying saidcarrier from said support t'o the furrow cut by said furrower; means for actuating said carrier to release the plant carried thereby when said plant is positioned with its .roots projecting into the furrow;

' means for pressing the soil about the root of the plant when positioned in the furrow,

said last mentioned means comprising a pair of trucks ladapted -to engage the ground at 4o `each side of the furrow and press the same inwardly; a pair ofvtiltably mounted. arms carrying said trucks; and manually operable Ameans for effecting tilting of said arms'. to

' move saidftrucks into orout of operative positions substantially as described.

-22.,In a plant replanter, the combination of a .furrowerya plantcarrier adapted te releasably suspend a plant for replanting;

a support'forsaid carrier; means for con- `SQ vveying said carrier from said support to the furrow cut by said furrower; means `for ac- I tuating said -carrier to release the' plant carried thereby when said plant is positioned with'fits. vroots projecting into the furrow; limeans f for pressing'the soil about theroot 'of theplant when'positioned in the furrow,

said l-last mentioned ymeans comprising a pairfof-trucks adapted to engage the ground at eachsidel ofthe furrow and press the same inwardly; a pair of laterally tiltable. vertically adjustable arms carrying said trucks, saidv` trucks being in operative positions when the lower ends ofsaid 'armsare at their'inner terminals of oscillation; means adapted when said arms are elevated't'o rock the lower ends thereof outwardly; and means adapted when said arms are lowered to rock the lower ends thereof` inwardly, substantially as described.

23. In a plant replanter, the combinationv by said furrower; means foractuating said carrier to release the. plant carried thereby when said'- plant is positioned with its roots projecting into the furrow; means for pressing the so-il about the root of the plant when positioned lin the furrow, said last men- 4carrier fro-m said support to the furrow cut tioned means comprising a pair of trucks adapted' to engage the ground at each side ofthe furrow andpressthe same inwardly; a pair of laterally tiltable, vertically adjustablearms carrying said trucks, said trucks being in operative position when the lower ends of sa-idarms are at their inner terminals of oscillation; means adapted when said arms aree/elevated to rock the lower ends thereof outwardly; means adapted when said arms \are lowered to rock the lower ends thereof inwardly; and manually operable means for simultaneously actuating said furrowenlcollter and arms, substantially as' describedf j 24. In a plant replanter, the combination of" a `furrower; a plurality of plant carriers adapted to releasably suspend the plants for replanting; a support for said carriers; means for conveying said carriers fronrsaid support to the furrow cut by. said'rrower; a water supply; means forlc'onductingthe water from said supply and introducing the same into'said furrow; a valv/e controlling the discharge of said'water; and means for intermittently -operatingsaid Ivalve whereby water will be supplied to each plant root in-f -troduced .intg the furrow, substantially' as described. l

25. In a. plant replanter,- the combination` 'of a furrower; a plant carrier adapted to releasably suspend a 4plant for -replanting, said carrier comprising a body having an expansible lower 'end adapted normally to embrace the upper end of aplant; .a support for said carrier; 'means for conveyingl -of a furrower; a plant carrier adapted to releasably suspend a plant for replanting, said carriencomprising a body having an expansi'ble lowerk end adapted` normally' to releasaloly suspend a plant for replant-ing,

said carrier comprising a, body having a split laterally expansible lower end adapted to embrace the upper end of a plant; a support for said carrier; means for conveying said carrier from said support to the furrow cut by said urrower; and means for expanding said lower end of said carrier to release the plant carried thereby, when said plant is positionedwith its roots projecting into the furrow, substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES C. POUCHER. RALPH C. POUCHER.

Witnesses JOSHUA R. H. Porre, HELEN F. LILms. 

